Grand Marshals 2026
Pat & Buffy Maguire, Grand Marshals of the 2026 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Honorary Grand Marshals: Elizabeth Teresa “Terri” Leonard, Gerald “Jerry” De Ryan, and Nancy Singleton
Pat Maguire
Pat Maguire
Pat Maguire
- Published author, All Things Beautiful, a story about love and loss
- Founder & Co-Managing Partner — Java Beach Café (Original, La Playa) (1993–Present)
- Founder of a legacy, family-run neighborhood café serving the Outer Sunset for more than 30 years..
- Co-Founder & Co-Managing Partner — Java Beach at the Zoo (2008–Present)
- Co-founded the second Java Beach café near the San Francisco Zoo.
- Helped shape it into a welcoming neighborhood café and visitor destination.
- Community Leadership & Place-Making (2003–Present)
- One of the founding members of the La Playa Village Neighborhood Association.
- Helped advance the creation of La Playa Pocket Park, recipient of the 2009 San Francisco Beautification Award.
- Co-founder of Greenfest (2009–Present), a St. Patrick’s Day community celebration on San Francisco’s Westside centered on music, local businesses, and - neighborhood connection.
- Head coach, Glens soccer created the Maguire method for training youth, coached many winning championships
- Awards & Recognition
- San Francisco Beautification Award (2009)
- Gellert Family Business Award (2014)
- Named Trailblazing Woman in Labor & Business (2017)
- Community Innovation Award (2019)G
- Awards & Recognition
- San Francisco Beautification Award (2009)
- Gellert Family Business Award (2014)
- Community Innovation Award (2019)
- In addition to husband to Buffy, Pat is also a devoted father to their sons, Kevin (deceased), Conor and Dylan, uncle to over 29 nieces and nephews in the - Sunset and brother to his six siblings.
Buffy Maguire
Buffy Maguire
Buffy Maguire
- Entrepreneur, Coffee Roaster, & Community Leader
- Based in San Francisco, with work spanning specialty coffee, storytelling, neighborhood advocacy, and place-making.
- Founder & Coffee Roaster — Lady Falcon Coffee Club (2016–Present)
- Founded a specialty coffee roasting company rooted in craftsmanship, storytelling, and San Francisco identity.
- Certified Q Grader, focused on quality, sourcing, and coffee education.
- Created a unique coffee company that has a robust direct to consumer, coffee subscriptions, corporate gifting and retail experience.
- Created a wholesale business with partners including OpenAI, Wolfgang Puck Catering, and Pinterest.
- Created a mobile coffee experience from a restored 1948 GMC truck at Alamo Square.
- Currently building the Lady Falcon Roastery on Wawona St (at Great Highway)
- Co-Managing Partner — Java Beach Café (Original, La Playa) (1990’s–Present)
- Co-managing partner of a legacy, family-run neighborhood café serving the Outer Sunset for more than 30 years.
- Café recognized with multiple city, state, and federal honors, including the 2019 Community Innovation Award.
- Co-Founder & Co-Managing Partner — Java Beach at the Zoo (2008–Present)
- Co-founded the second Java Beach café next door to UICC and across the street from the San Francisco Zoo.
- Helped shape it into a welcoming neighborhood café
- Writer & Political Editor — Irish Herald (2000–2006)
- Covered Irish and Northern Irish politics with a focus on the Good Friday Agreement peace process.
- Interviewed leaders, including Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness.
- Wrote long-form reporting for the Irish-American community.
- Filmmaker — The Remembering Quilt (1998–2002)
- Created a short documentary about The Remembering Quilt, a peace and reconciliation project following the Good Friday Agreement.
- Focused on remembrance, loss, and healing through storytelling and art.
- Education
- Master of Arts in Political Science, Queen’s University Belfast (1998–2000), with a case study on the Good Friday Peace Agreement.
- Double Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Art History, Smith College.
- University High School, class of 1991
- Awards & Recognition
- San Francisco Beautification Award (2009)
- Gellert Family Business Award (2014)
- Named Trailblazing Woman in Labor & Business (2017)
- Community Innovation Award (2019)
- In addition to wife to Pat, Buffy is also a devoted mother to their sons, Kevin (deceased), Conor and Dylan, aunt to over 29 nieces and nephews in the Sunset, daughter, sister and friend.
- Buffy’s family is originally from Cork and Mayo
- Buffy’s family has been in the Sunset District since 1950’s
Elizabeth Teresa “Terri” Leonard
Elizabeth Teresa “Terri” Leonard
Elizabeth Teresa “Terri” Leonard
We are honored that our mom, Elizabeth Teresa “Terri” Leonard, has been selected as an honorary Grand Marshal in the 2026 San Francisco St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Terri was born on October 17, 1936, in Killorglin, County Kerry, as the seventh of eleven children, growing up surrounded by family and faith.
In 1957, like many of her country people before her, she left Ireland by boat for Buffalo, New York, to join her Auntie Molly and family. In Buffalo, she created beautiful memories and formed strong family bonds. In 1958, Terri took a trip to San Francisco to visit her brother Pat Galvin and sister Kitty Dillon. Upon arriving in San Francisco, she knew it was her true home.
In May 1962, as Terri was settled in San Francisco, she was delighted by the arrival of her youngest brother, 17-year-old Joe Galvin, who immigrated to the city and still makes it his home today.
Terri was intelligent and hardworking, building a successful career at Crocker Bank, Wells Fargo, and eventually retiring from Dodge & Cox. Her Catholic faith was central to her life, and during a walk to St. Patrick’s Church in San Francisco, she met her lifelong friend, Nora O’Sullivan. Terri cherished many evenings spent dancing and singing with family and friends at venues like Mrs. Picketts, the KRB, and St. Mary’s.
In 1967, Terri married Frank Leonard, and together they raised their daughters, Maureen and Kathleen. They instilled a deep love of Irish heritage in their daughters, sharing trips to Ireland, encouraging Irish dancing, and participating in numerous community events. As a founding member of the United Irish Cultural Center and through her involvement in various Irish organizations, including The Emerald Drill Team, The Hibernian Club, The Kerry Club, and The Irish Pastoral Center, Terri passionately supported Irish cultural activities by volunteering and attending celebrations. Terri especially loved dinners with the Roses, her family and her wonderful companion Tom McGuigan.
In her retirement, she dedicated herself to volunteering and celebrating her culture. Family and friends were paramount to her, and she welcomed everyone into her home, hosting numerous dinners where the more people included, the better. Terri loved the United Irish Cultural Center and was proud to be one of the community members who helped establish it. It became a central place for her family, hosting numerous dinners and celebrations throughout the years.
Terri was a devoted mother to Maureen and Jason Culleton and Kathleen and Anthony O’Sullivan, as well as a loving grandmother to Tara and Pa O’Connor, Alanna, Ryan O’Sullivan, and Sean Cunningham. She was also an indulgent great-grandmother to Grace, Fiadh, and James.
Cherished by all who knew her for her warmth, optimism, and generosity, Terri’s greatest legacy of love, faith, and community continues to live on in her family and friends. Although we miss her deeply, we carry her spirit with us always.
Gerald “Jerry” De Ryan
Gerald “Jerry” De Ryan
Gerald “Jerry” De Ryan
Born to Edwin Thomas & Ernestine Bridget DeRyan.
Gerald De Ryan - Born 3/29/1932 - Deceased - 7/20/24
Began volunteering from 4th grade to 8th grade @ St Anne’s, & Irish Presentation Nuns - while in the choir, traffic boy, gardener for the Convent garden, bingo setup and cleaning on Saturdays, volunteering for service @ St. Vincent De Paul while in high school and graduate of Sacred Heart High School, to include assisting the Red Cross, he started a Junior Red Cross Journal, applying up-to-date Red Cross Emergencies, and serving mass, St. Vincent volunteering continued for 50 + years.
US Army 1955-57 began as 2nd Lieut. by CA Governor Edmund G “Pat” Brown 6/55. Upon completion of 1st task for AAA & missile (Surface & guided) controls given specialty 1180 - surface to air missile unit Commander., later as Fire control platoon leader, in 57, as Acting Executive officer, led Battery C’s mobile movement from temporary to a permanent underground site setting a new Army time record. named TOP Lt. in the 30th AAA group in 57’, nuclear engineer. Also coached Army Basketball & Softball teams to League Championships.
S.F. State University-50/51 & USF-51-55
Teaching credentials of Business Education, Social Studies, English, Journalism and Physical Education.
Worked evenings and weekends assisting students in need while coaching basketball.
National Teacher Exams passed as #1 on the list for Junior & Senior High Schools!
Life Supervision credentials grades 7 thru 14, Life Diploma in Counseling, Child Welfare, Social Work and Administration
Bachelor of Science, Management & Business Education.
Masters Degree in Counseling & Guidance
- 38 years of service at Marina Junior High and Galileo High School
- Served as the 1st President. of the SF-California Teachers Association - did the 1st SFCTA contract a know @ City Hall.
- Active in the SF Labor Council as the voice.
First in his parish conference, St. Gabriel to date for clothing drives, food drives, furniture drives, etc. - delivery of foods to over 50 locations for 40+ years to convents, monasteries, homeless programs, battered women & children, drug & alcohol shelters, religious homes to St. Anthony’s from St. Annes Home to St. Paul of the shipwreck 7-days a week for years, also delivered communion, prescriptions, driving those in need to Dr. appts, cooking for the needy.
Represented SF in DC as relates to the pursuance to safe drinking water. served St. Vincent DP for 5-terms on Exec board while they were 3+Million in debt, put in place their 1st health plan. Jerry headed Emergency Preparedness Committee planning & training held at St. Cecilia and on the same night the “Loma Pricata Earthquake happened, made Herb Caen’s column the next day.
He helped start a financial aid fund for his class of 1950 for families of more than 1 student - raised over 300k to date.
At St. Annes, he and a friend Co-chaired a $1 million endowment drive in honor of Father Foudy.
Jerry and some of his graduate friends from class of 1950’ from Sacred Heart delivered over $300k worth of food in 1 year.
As said “The best way to practice religion is through service to our fellow man!", Jerry was generous to a fault, helping anyone or any program.
- Active in the SF labor Council as strong voice
- Joined Oriental Lodge No. 144
- Active in the “Godfather program” as reminded Jerry could barely walk with his bad knees while still active in the program.
- Active member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America - Serving as State Secretary, Treasurer, Financial Secretary and more.
- Charter member of Irish Culture center - assisted with the building of the center - officer / member since 1975 - supports all programs.
- Youngest man to receive Sacred Heart’s “Cor Jesu” award-for ethics service to others.
- Knights of Columbus - Past Board and member
- Masons - Sr. Warden elect - served as the Lodge’s Champlain for 23 years and was Worshipful Master in 1981
- AARP- District Coordinator / Leading charities and affiliations with too many to list.
- Greeter for the SF 49ers, SF Giants for decades at all home games employed at Oracle stadium as well, and continued activeness in USF sports.
Nancy Singleton
Nancy Singleton
Nancy Singleton
Nancy Singleton (nee Borgia) was a San Francisco native, born in 1941 in Noe Valley. Like so many of the Irish in SF, she was the product of recent immigrants (Germany and Ecuador). Nancy’s fascination and love of all things Irish began as a young girl at St Paul’s school. Many of her life-long friends were children of Irish immigrants. She was destined to ‘become’ Irish.
After high school, she worked at Hibernia Bank and attended Irish dances in the Mission district, where she built lasting friendships in the Irish community and met her future husband, John Singleton, a recent immigrant from Millstreet, Cork.
Nancy and John married on June 2, 1962, and had five children: Kathleen, Anne, Bill, Shawn, and Maureen. It was important that her children were involved with the Irish community, learning the culture and history. In 1974, the family made its first of multiple trips “home” to Ireland. As soon as John’s family met her, she was embraced as one of their own. Nancy also shared her love of Ireland with her four adored grandchildren (Riordan, Emmett, Travis, and Lily).
The family was an inaugural member of the UICC, and Nancy was active at the UICC all her life. Nancy continued going to Irish dances at the UICC and she and John celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the Center. Nancy attended the St. Patrick’s Day parade every year come rain or shine, wearing something green and proudly marching with the Rebel Cork Men and Ladies. She loved the celebration, spectacle, and being with her Irish friends and family.
Thanks to 23 & me, Nancy found out that she also had Irish roots herself, proving that her love of the Irish community was really a part of her through and through. She would be so touched to be an honoree Grand Marshall of the 2026 San Francisco St. Patrick’s Day parade.